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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn officer manager for an Indianapolis church faces charges of theft and forgery, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday, after more than $177,000 was stolen from the church’s bank accounts.
Prosecutor Terry Curry filed the charges against Stephanie Hicks-Karst, who worked for Pleasant View Lutheran Church from 2000 to March 2013. The thefts occurred between Jan. 1, 2011, and May 31, 2013.
Hicks-Karst was arrested Tuesday and faces an initial court hearing later this week.
According to the charges, the accused made about $48,000 in unauthorized purchases on the church’s business credit card and then paid the credit card balances using the business checking account.
The prosecutor’s office said Hicks-Karst forged a church treasurer’s signature when using the checking account.
The credit card purchases were made for personal purchases at several gas stations and a variety of traditional and online retailers, including Target, Dress Barn, Pier 1, Petco, Bath & Body Works, Papa John’s, Hip Girl Boutique, Taylor’s Pub, WeightWatchers.com, Amazon.com and Trader Joe’s.
Hicks-Karst allegedly made another $129,000 in unauthorized cash transfers from the church’s business account into her personal accounts.
All three charges are Class C felonies that carry penalties from two to eight years in prison.
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